"As I step into the room, a silver flash blurs my vision. Before I can take a breath, the world falls away."

Brianna has always felt invisible. People stare right past her, including the one boy she can't resist, Blake Williams. But everything changes at a house party where Brianna's charm bracelet slips off and time stands still. In that one frozen, silver moment, Blake not only sees her, he recognizes something deep inside her she's been hiding even from herself.

Discovering she is descended from Danu, the legendary Bandia of Celtic myth, Brianna finds herself questioning the truth of who she is. And when she accidentally binds her soul to Blake, their mutual attraction becomes undeniable.

But Blake has his own secret, one that could prove deadly for them both.

Bound together by forbidden magic, Brianna and Blake find themselves at the heart of an ancient feud that threatens to destroy their lives and their love.

Review: If you’ve got a story entrenched in Celtic mythology, then you’ve already got your foot through the door with me. I’m automatically going to be compelled to delve into it. Silver by Talia Vance grabbed a few auto-points from the beginning, but inside it’s pages is a story saturated with suspense, gorgeous writing, a likable heroine, and the kind of sexytimes that I wish more YA books included—a copious amount of description while still leaving plenty to the imagination, the scenes vibrating with sexual tension. Tasty and captivating, Silver by Talia Vance brings forth a heroine struggling with her identity and her power, a plot riddled with dangerous foes, secrets, and threats, and incorporates old magic into an age where magic is equally scoffed at, revered, and practiced with varying degrees of seriousness or mockery. From charming little meaningless love spells to perilous blasts of magical energy, the climaxing war between the Celtic gods and the mortals of the earth lures in unsuspecting Brianna, whose heritage is more deadly than she realizes, and blankets our curiosity with layers of pure delight and anticipation. It’s hard not to give into excitement for a fostering war with no easily discernible heroes.

My mind wasn’t blown by Silver by Talia Vance, but that’s okay because I don’t need that factor in order to positively enjoy myself. This isn’t a book that I can easily shrug off as something cozy to read that’ll lend a few thrills and tugs. I was actively interested in nearly every moment of the story. No skimming, no how. Absorption is synonymous with the plot. It’s littered with many mysteries to solve, histories and secrets fortifying them, and they never feel overwhelming because they’re all interlaced. And even as I was picking up on where Vance was leading me, I never fully arrived until she wanted me to. With or without her help, I still wouldn’t have suspected certain conclusions regardless. Which is, needless to say, AWESOME. I love it when an author can work in a few surprises with a nonchalant feel to them. Then, of course, there’s this gorgeous storytelling—not beautiful in the delicate, wispy, or hard-edged sense, but in a manner that’s not overpowering and yet still quite appealingly visual, not just in the setting but in the narration as well. Feelings as well as places take up vivid forms in your head so that everything feels especially tangible, which goes really well with the mythology aspects as well. It’s thoughtless, the absorption, the feeling of getting lost in the story. Rarely did I feel conscious of the time passing me by.

I’ve already mentioned that the romance is another element of the story to love. The connection felt between Brianna and Blake is equal parts visceral and conjured by their shared feelings via accidental spiritual bonding. It feels as if this accidental bond, however, is a powerful cohort of fate, a channel that has the pair crossing paths at last. It has an “ah, there you are” feel, as if it was meant, and I’m a huge sucker for that particular brand of insta-attraction. Their relationship is full of sexytimes, cuteness and awkwardness, and suspicion toward each other. Because they’re enemies, and they’re aware of it and definitely not dumb, no matter what they’re beginning to feel. It’s simply delightful, never being fully certain of Blake knowing he’s not quite certain of Brianna, and, frankly, neither are we. Not completely. It’s impossible to tell who’s really capable of pulling the metaphorical trigger with a literally deadly magical arsenal. It just gets us all so hot.

My one qualm with Silver by Talia Vance, and it’s major enough for me not to love the book, is the substantial lack of character depth. Mind you, these characters never felt flat or dull per se—they’re constantly moving, doing, and the feelings are there, but I never felt completely attached to either individual unless Brianna and Blake were together. As for the side characters, they need more page time since the presence Vance delivers for each isn’t strong or bold enough on their own during the scenes they enter into. That said, that’s just another incentive to continue with the series.

Oh yeah, I’m addicted, and not just because I’m easy pickings, promise.

Most Likely to Be Enjoyed By: If you’re getting tired with all the bland paranormal romance books out there on the market right now, then I’d vouch for Silver by Talia Vance by saying it’s a very good revitalization to the genre with a fairly unique use of Celtic mythology, with the stipulation that all characters not be taken too seriously until further inspection. I can definitively label Silver by Talia Vance a strong start to the series, and if you’re missing that these days then I can’t think of a better reason for you to get started.

Content Warning: The preludes to the implicit sex in this book are yummy detailed enough that it’s definitely best a young readership beware. I’d steer this book toward middle teens for that alone. There are some brief moments of sexual harassment before they’re interrupted. There’s also drinking and, I believe, light profanity.

I plant my feet in the sand. “I’m not going in some creepy cave with a guy I barely know.”
Blake steps all the way out. “I know I shouldn’t rush you.” He looks up and down the beach. “no problem. We can do it here.”
I back up a step. “Excuse me?”

Matt’s expression changes when he sees Christy. For a second his eyes go all googly and then I can practically see him remember, and he glares from across the counter. Well, he tries to glare. Mostly he narrows his eyes and looks like he’s going to throw up.
“Are you okay?” Christy sets the book down on the counter.
“Who’s asking?” Oh God. Matt does a bad New York accent. Like he’s seen one too many mafia movies.
Christy steps back. “Why are you talking so weird?” It’s saying something that Matt’s gangster voice is stranger than speaking in verse.
Matt curls his upper lip. “If you don’t like it, you can go screw yourself.”
Christy’s jaw drops, her lips curving into an O.
I am trying not to laugh, but a snort comes out anyway. Haley steps behind the counter and starts making our drinks, since it’s obvious that gangster Matt isn’t going to do it. Christy grabs my arm.
“Omigod,” she says, her voice is a hurried whisper. “Remember how you were asking me about Matt earlier?”
I nod.
“Don’t you think he’s kind of hot?”
This time it’s my mouth that falls open.

"I am late to the metaphoric party, I know, but I have just discovered the wondrous delights of Sarah MacLean, and all because of a stray kindle deal that caught my eye. "
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"Now, was I blown away by exemplary writing? No. Excellent plotting? Uh-uh. What Higgans seems to excel at, though, is the voice of her main character and characterizing every individual in that MC's life."
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